Conducting throughout the region, Matthew Cataldi has and continues to receive critical acclaim for the ensembles under his direction.  He is the current musical director for the Renovo String Orchestra and has conducted works such as Stravinsky's Concerto in D, Bartok's Divertimento for Strings as well as other famous string orchestra works.  As part of his own mission to revitalize great works, he also has help produce the rarely heard neo-Baroque piece by Paul Creston, Partita for Flute, Violin & Strings.  In stage performances, he has conducted operettas such as Victor Herbert’s Babes in Toyland and Eduard Kunneke’s Cousin from Nowhere with Chicago Folks Operetta, an organization whose lead performers hail from Lyric Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Chicago Opera Theatre, and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. 

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Specializing in emerging and recently established organizations, such as the Renovo String Orchestra, Matt has developed new entrepreneurial methods of promoting arts programming in areas without significant access to performing events.  He has encouraged collaborations with regional organizations such as Bensenville Chamber Orchestra and Barrington Historical Society to increase service to surrounding Illinois communities. In an effort to promote a new management approach, he has been an advisor to local ensembles such as the Logan Chamber Players, Bach & Beethoven Ensemble and the Chicago Folks Operetta.  Most recently, he has designed the a Chamber Series under the Renovo String Orchestra and contributed the recent formation of New Comma Baroque, a period music performance ensemble to serve educational purposes and access many different areas.

Consulting with specialists in the management field, he has worked to streamline internal management functions in non-profit arts organizations using technology to maximize productivity.  He has consulted with founders of other nonprofit arts organizations and has served as Development Chair for the Westerville Symphony Orchestra, was one of the founders of the Players' Committee at Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and has served as Personnel Manager for Baroque Band.  He currently serves as the Rockford Symphony Orchestra's Personnel Manager.

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Matt received a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Indiana University Bloomington.  His is the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships, and scholarships at the local, state and national levels.  His principal teachers have included Gerardo Ribeiro, Ilya Kaler and Davis Brooks.  His coaches have included Mathias Tacke, DaXun Zhang, David Campbell, Ik-Hwan Bae and Ann Setzer.